Suction box dresser



F. M. WILLIAMS SUCTION BOX DRESSER Aug. 2, 1932.

Filed July 51, .1929 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Ad'orne y 1932- E: M. WILLIAMS 1,869,789

SUCTION BOX DRESSER Filed July 51, 1929 35heets-Sheet 2 Aug. 2 1932. F. M W|| L|AMS 1,869,789

SUCTION BOX DRESSER Filed July 31, 1929 25 Sheets-Sheet I5 Patented Aug. 2, 1932 ma-ire ts {PATENT F Fl . FRANK M. WILLIAMS, OF WATERTOWN, N EWiYORK SUCTION BOX. DRESSER Application filed Ju1y 31,

the assembly of the boxwith"appropriate parts of the apparatus adjacent the paper making machine, priorto transporting the box to a cutter device for effecting-refinish- The ordinary Fourdrinier papermaking machine is provided with a suction box under the wire at the lower end of the machine, which is employed to withdraw excess water in the stock. These boxes are provided with Wooden perforated covers, which become grooved or worn during use, so that the surface of the-cover is rendered uneven. Her'eto foreit has been customary to remove the boxes periodically fromthe machine to some convenient place, where the coverhas been planed to provide a true surface. These practices. are well understood in the art, and so require no further discussion here.

Suction boxes are made of metal, and hence are rather heavy. The weight introduces porting it. Due to its peculiar position in the machine, (adjacent the wire), considerable difficulty is experienced in removing the box, as there is danger of rasping the top of the box along the wire and thereby injuring the wire, and so'involving a factor ofcostly damage.

According to the present invention, there is provided apparatus for removing the box which is so constructed as to permit of a deli-S nite or predetermined alignment with the box and its supporting apparatus. Additional-' 46 as to permit of the alignment of the box there on prior-to the institution vof the refinishingoperations.

tion', and the advantages inherent therein,

difficulty in handling the box and in transwhere the refinishing maybe readily effectedly, the supporting apparatus is so constructed 1929. Serial N0. 382,515.

will become apparent from a perusal ofthe following description of apparatus, illus trated in the accompanying drawings,

7 wherein:

Fig. 1 is aside elevational view of asupporting truck disposed adjacent a paper machine for effecting the removal of the suction box.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary side elevational View of'a movable support for the cutting device; and

*Fig. 5 is'a fragmentary end. elevational viewof 'a modified form of truck mounting.

In Fig. 1; there is shown a portion of'a paper making machine comprising a frame member 10 to which is secured a suction box way 11. A suction box 12, comprising'a rectangularly metallic box structure provided with a perforated wooden cover 13, is posi- 7 tioned on the way 11 during normal periods of operation of the paper making machine. When it is'desired to remove the box 12 from the'machine, for purposes of repair,-the box is slid'endways from the frame 10, and under- 0 neath the wire of the machine. In Fig. 1 the box is shown as projecting partially from the machine. 7

To effect the removal of the box 12 without undue labor, or danger of injury to the 5 wire, there is provided a truckindicated generally by the character T. This truck isso' constructed as to be slidable under the projecting end of the box 12, and thereafter tobe secured to the side walls of the box and to serve as a mounting for it. The truck T is then pulled away from the frame 10, thereby withdrawing the box 12 without difficulty or danger of damage. As the other end of the box 12 approaches the frame member 10, a second truck T' is secured in a manner similar to the first, and the box 12,positioned 011 the two trucks T, may then be removed to a suitable place for repairing the cover.

The truck T comprises a rectangular frame 1 member 15 having secured to its underside four pivotally mounted casters or wheels 16. These pivotally mounted casters, which are known in the art, include a roller 16, mounted in a yoke or bracket 17, which has as an up per surface forming the lower race ring for a ball bearing 18. With this construction, the rollers 16 may be turned at any angle, the yokes 17 pivoting on the bearings 18 about neutral axes.

Projecting above the frame 15 in pyramidal fashion are four supporting members 20 terminating in and secured to a stage 21, which is provided with a centrally and vertically disposed hollow post 22. A screw-threaded supporting member 23 projects loosely through i the bore in the post 22, and has mounted thereon at the upper end of the post a screw-threaded nut 24 provided with radial-. ly extending hand grips 25. When the nut 24 is turned, the supporting member 23 is constrained to move therethrough and to become elther more or less ef'fectlve lIl its length. The

nut 24 rests at all times on top of the post 22,.

due to the weight disposed on the upper end of the member 23.

The upper end of the member 23 terminates in a T-shaped perforated boss 26, to which is pivotally mounted a cradle member 27, by means of a securing pin 28passing through the horizontal perforation in the boss. The cradle 27 is substantially U-shaped in section and is provided with depending lugs 29 on its lower portion which are perforated to receive the pin 28. To the lowermost extremities of the cradle 27 are pivotally mounted downwardly extending screw-threaded rods 31, each of which is secured by a clevis connection 3-0, (see Fig. 1). The rods 31 are adapted to swing into slots 33 formed in outwardlyextending flanges 34 on the stage 21.

Beneath the stage 21, and on the rods 31, are

adjusting nuts 32, to secure the cradle 27 in any desired position about the axis of the pin 28 and to lock or unlock the cradlefor lgiovement about the axis of the post member The upwardly extending side portions of the cradle 27 are perforated and internally threaded to receive set screws 34 and 35, each of which is provided with a hardened point or cup for gripping the side wall of the suction box 12. The set screw 34 may be set in any desired position, while the other set screw 35 is provided with a hand wheel 36 for purposes of adjustment. Both set screws 34 and 35 are provided with lock nuts, 37 and 38 respectively, to hold the box in fixed position during the refinishing process.

At opposite sides and on one end of the frame 15 are upstanding lugs 41, secured to the frame member, and perforated to receive a pair of handle bars 42. The handle bars 42 merge inwardly, and terminate in a yoke 43, (see Fig. 3), in which are disposed set screws 44, similar in construction to the set screws 34 and 35. The handle bars 42 may be employed for pulling the truck T around the plant, and, when the trucks are assembled under the box 12, they may be swung to the position shown in Fig. 3, and secured to the box in the manner indicated. This arrangement assists in maintaining the truck in a predetermined position with respect to the box 12, and further serves as a brace to prevent undue displacement of the truck from the mid portion of the box during transportation-or refinishing.

The apparatus as thus far described is employed as follows. The box 12 is manually withdrawn from the frame 10 a suitable distance, as shown in Fig. 1, to permit of the insertion of one truck T under the proj ecting end of the box. When the truck is positioned at a suitable point, the hand wheel is manipulated, to raise the cradle 27 into contact with the lower edge of the box. The set screws 34 and are then tightened to clamp the box in a desired position, such, for example, as aligning the box with its vertical center line coincident with a vertical axis passing through the adjustable post 23. Thereafter the nuts 32 are manipulated to cause the box 12 to assume a level position with respect to a line perpendicular to the axes passing through the pivot 28 and the post 23. When the box is thus trued up on the truck T, the truck is withdrawn from the frame 10, thereby pulling the box 12 away from the machine in a straight line.

Since the cradle 27 is at the same level as the guideway 11 of the machine, the opposite end of the box 12 can not be tilted upwardly and thus scrape against and damage the wire. \Vhen the box has been withdrawn nearly its entire distance, a second truck T of similar construction is secured at the opposite end in a like manner. The handle bars 42 are then secured to the mid portion of the box 12, by simply rotating the truck around the central post 23. If desired, of course, one truck maybe provided instaed of two, the necessary changes in dimension being made.

When the box is thus withdrawn and mounted upon the trucks, its cover 13 may be planed by a hand tool or, the trucks with the box mounted thereon may be removed to a suitable place in the mill having special apparatus to facilitate refinishing.

The invention further comprises special apparatus for re-finishing the surface of the wooden cover 13. In general, it is advantageous to provide a track 51, (see Fig. 3), composed of two spaced rails having machined upper surfaces, and embedded in a substantial concrete foundation to maintain their constant alignment. The trucks T, with the box 12 mounted thereon, are pushed up on the rails 51 and then are moved back and forth under a cutting tool, represented generally by the reference character C. Or, the cutting tool C may be mounted onrails for movement over the surface of the box.

In employing the first named arrangement, wherein the trucks are moved during the re-finishing process, it is advantageous to provide different rollers or wheels for contact with the rails 51. This is because the rollers 16 become worn during the movements of the truck over a factory floor. Accordingly,the frame 15 of the truck T isprovided with spaced bearings 52 for receiving an axle 53, to the outer ends of which are secured grooved rollers 54, adapted to engage corresponding surfaces on the machined rails 51. The rollers; 54 are mounted above the rollers 16, so that they always clear-the factory floor when the truck T is moved thereover. When the rollers 54 engage the rails 51, the rollers 16 are clear of the floor. Under one set of conditions the rollers 16 receive all of the bearing load,-while under the other set of conditions the rollers 54 receive all of the bearing, load. The purpose of this arrangement, as stat-ed, is to protect the rollers 54 from injurv.

An alternative mounting for the truck T in which but one set of rollers is provided is shown in Fig. 5. Herein is illustrated a frame 15c provided with spindle bearings 52a to receive spindles forcaster yokes'17a. Rollers 166; are mounted in the yolres17a, and they: are each provided with two cylindrical bearing surfaces. One surface 55 is adapted to contact with the mill floor, and

the other surface 56 is adapted to contact witha rail 51a. The transfer from the tracks to the floor may be readily effected by .pro-

viding the ends of the rails with sloping surfaces or ramps. Locking devices (not shown) may also be provided for the caster spindles to prevent rotation of the casters about the spindle axes while the truck is mounted on the rails.

Referring now to Figs. 2 and 3, it-will be observed that the cutting mechanism C-comprises a supporting stage 61 mounted on four rigid legs 62which are embedded in the foundation at either side of the traclrway 51. The supporting member is spaced from the track 51, and it is entirely independent of the supporting trucks T or the box 12. The support is aligned with the tracks, however, so that the cutting device may be brought into proper contact with the cover 13 of the box.

Since there are a large number of vertically disposed cutting members suitable for the present purposes known to the art, it unnecessary to describe any special structure in connection with the present invention. It may be noted, however, that the cutting mem-' ber herein illustrated includes a vertically disposed electric motor 63having a cutting element 64 disposed on and secured to the lower end ofthe mot-or shaft. Secured to the mid portion of the motor frame is a spider terminating in four perforated bosses 65, through which pass screw threaded posts 66 secured to the stage 61. Each boss rests on a sprocket wheel 67 threaded on the post 66, and a drive chain 68 is provided to encompass these sprockets. A hand wheel 69 is also provided. to turn the sprockets and chain, and thus permit of vertical adjustment of the cutting member 64 without affecting its alignment about a perpendicular axis.

In Fig. 4 there is disclosed an alternative mounting for the stage 61. This modification consists'in providing guide wheels 71 at the lower end of the supporting legs 62:11, which guide wheels are adapted to move along a suitable track 7 2. In the event this arrange ment is employed, chock blocks may be inserted under the wheels ,54 of the trucks T, to prevent the displacement of the box during operation. With the modified stage mounting depicted in Fig. 4 the ressing cuttermay be moved past the suction box which is held stationary, or the apparatus may be actuated in the manner of the form shown in Fig. 1, wherein the dressing cutter is held stationary and the suction box moved tl ereunder for cu ting engagement.

As shown in Fig. 3, a Windlass is provided to move the box 12, together with its support trucks T, beneath the cutter during operation. The Windlass comprises an axle 74 cm. tending beneath the member 61, and having secured thereto a hand wheel 75. A rope 76, having both of its ends tied to the axle 74, may be passed around eitl er end of the box 12, and, by turning the hand wheel 75, the box will be caused to. move under the cutting de: vice. In another form, the truck T is provided with a driving mechanism, as indicated on the truck T" in Fig. 3. Herein there is shown a frame 77 to which is secured a pulley 78 and a hand wheel 79. A similar pulley is mounted on the axle 53, and a drive belt 81 extends between the pulle l's. When the hand wheel 79 is rotated, the truck T will be caused to move over the track 51. 7

ln refinishing a box, the trucks with the box mounted thereon are positioned on the rails and the d wheels 25 are manipulated to elevate the box until the covercontacts W' hen the cover 13 has been properly dressed the box is again transported on the trucks to the machine and is inserted into its proper.

position by a now obviousprocedure.

. it will be understoodthat the various details of construction are subject to wide mod fication in accordance with existing machlne design and shop practice. Accordingly, it is deemed unnecessary to dwell further upon these various mechanical details. It may be stated, however, that it is desirable'to form the various frame members from rolled metal, instead of cast iron, and for rigidity of struc ture, it is preferred to weld the members together, rather than to rivet them.

From the foregoing description it will be apparent that the present invention provides a useful assembly of apparatus for removing and transporting and i e-finishing tops of suction boxes. Since the invention is subject to numerous variations in its structural parts, it is accordingly desired that only those limitations should be imposed as are clearly necessitated by the scope of the following claims.

What is claimed is:

1. Apparatus assembly for refinishing the surface of suction boxes for paper machines, comprising a pair of trucks provided with cradles for mounting a suction box therebetween, means associated with the cradles for varying the elevation and inclination of the suction box, a cutter mounted in spaced relation to the path of movement of said trucks relative to the cutter, means for contacting the cutter with the suction box mounted on said cradles, and means permitting the moving of said cradles and suction box supported thereby relative to said cutter during such contact.

2. A machine for finishing the surfaces of suction boxes for paper making machines,

comprising fixed path defining means, a pair of trucks each having a cradle to receive the suction box at about its level in the paper making machine, said cradles being mounted to swivel in vertical axes upon the trucks to permit of accurate adjustment of the line of travel of each truck with the suction box and of both with the path defining means, a lressing cutter and means for so supporting it relative to said path defining means that said trucks may, together with such suction box supported thereby, be traversed upon and guided by said path defining means so that the surface of said suction box may travel intersectingly past the cutting edge of said dressing cutter.

3. A machine for finishing the surfaces of suction boxes for paper making machines, comprising fixed path defining means, a pair of trucks each having acradle to receive the suction box at about its level in the paper making machine and combinedly supporting said box, means for vertically adjusting at least one of said cradles on its truck to facilitate the level transfer of said suction box to said truck and to secure'the level passage of the top of said box relative to said fixed path defining means, a dressing cutter and means for so supporting'it relative to said path defining means that said trucks may together with the suction box received thereby, traversed upon and guided by said path defining means so that the surface of the suction box may travel intersectingly past the cutting edge of said dressing cutter.

l. A machine for refinishing the surfaces of suction boxes for paper machines, comprising fixed path defining means such as track rails, truck means proportioned and adapted to receive the suction box at about its level in a paper machine, a dressing cutter and means for so supporting it spaced from said path defining means that said truck means together with said suction box supported thereby may be traversed upon and guided by said path defining means so that the surface of said suction box may travel intersectingly past the cutting edge of said dressing cutter.

5. A machine as defined in claim a wherein said truck means comprises a pair of trucks each having a cradle to receive a suction box at about its level in'the paper making machine, and to combinedly support and transport it within and past the range of said dressing cutter, at least one of said cradles being adjustable about a horizontalaxis to facilitate transverse leveling of the suction box as received at the paper machine and as passed by the cutter.

6. A machine for refinishing the surface of suction boxes for paper machines, comprising a fixed surface with path defining means such as track rails, a pair of trucks each having a cradle to receive a suction box at about its level in the paper machine and mounted to swivel on a horizontal axis upon the truck to permit of adjustment of the surface of the suction box into parallelism with the path of travel of the truck with the path defining means, a dressing cutter and means for so supporting it above and spaced from said path defining means as to permit of relative movement between said truck with such suction box so supported and said dressing cutter to cause the cutting edge of the latter to intersect the suction box in a path parallel to said fixed surface with path defining means.

FRANK M. WILLIAMS. 

